Warnings: It's on the first chapter.
Author's Section: Hi everyone! After the long wait I've finally updated! *cheers* Sorry for it took me so long to update (3 weeks after the last update). Lot of thing just happened in my life, mainly the major writer's block I had for two weeks. Every time I tried writing for this chapter it always ended full of crap. Of course I don't want to give you something like that. So I've decided to wind up a little and me and my friends decided to go the beach. I felt myself relax and when we got back, ta da! A chapter that satisfied me enough to continue writing. I hope it satisfies you too, my readers. Sorry for the long wait!
BTW, have you ever heard the song SARANGHAE? The theme song of a Korean T.V. series PERFECT MATCH. Well, it's just the song I'm listening to while I'm writing this chapter. Maybe you could try and listened to it too while reading this chapter. It's cute! Just a suggestion.
Reviewer's Section:
- darkhuntressxir- good guess! But I won't confirm it to you until . thanks for always reviewing!
-Secret- I'm glad to hear that! I hope you'll stay interested until the end. Well that's my part to do. Thanks! I still have loads of interesting scenes. You just have to patiently wait for it.
-zakky492- I've upadated! Lyon going to fall for Natsu? Maybe? I won't tell you until it happen. haha. It really is crazy if that quadrangle happened. You want that to happen? You want to see three hot guys fighting over Natsu's heart? I'll let you know through my upcoming chapters.
-x0xalexis8- Maybe? I won't tell you yet. But the role of those two would be revealed until much, much later. Stay tuned!
- theabridgedkuriboh- That's a very good guess for you! What will you do if your guess is what exactly happen in the later chapters? Hmmm? I want to know.
-O.o. Belt.O.o.O- Flame belt! Are you still alive? LOL. Here's the fifth chapter you'd been dying to read for. Sorry it took me so long. But here it is!
-TheRealmsOfDream- here's the fifth chapter! I badly want Lyon to appear too. But sadly he can't. well I guess we really have to be patient until it was time for him to enter the scene. You know, I love reading stories too that have one person being loved by many. It's just so cute!
- FairyWhereAreYouGoing- Maybe? Hehe, I won't confirm anything until later. But I'm glad with your answer. It's interesting really if it happen.
-LuMidoriiroo- wow! an avid fan of Gratsu. Well this is a Gratsu fic, I guess that's the only assurance I could give you. But since Loki and Lyon might possibly get involve, you'll have to start collecting China plates to throw at me !
Special Thanks to:
Luceria, AnimeForLife123, Moongirl513, Angel Menna, Allie X 'I, LuMidoriiroo, sktrgrl13, and ShafiraHatake for following the story and for putting it on your favorite list. Also for putting me on your Author Alert subscription. You guys make me feel so flattered. Thank you so much for taking time to read it.
Disclaimer: I'm getting tired of saying this, but I really don't own it.
Ice Roses
Chapter 5: I've Fallen For You
By: Johan Lee
Natsu squirmed nervously on his seat as he tried to come up of something to say. What's he supposed to say anyway?
'Gray, are you my secret admirer, the one sending me ice roses every morning?'
No.
Fucking hell no!
There's no way in hell he would ask the ice bastard something so stupid like that! What is he, a freaking high school girl?
Although Natsu has a straightforward mind on most of things, he couldn't afford asking the raven such a question that was surely embarrassing for the both of them. Most especially in his side. He would rather pick a fight with Erza even if it means death.
Erza in her Purgatory Armor appeared in his mind followed by her frightening voice saying "None had seen the armor and lived to tell the tale."
Or maybe not. Natsu felt a deadly chill run up his spine at his imagination. Maybe telling Gray about it wasn't such a bad idea.
Natsu sighed. It is true that he's curious and he really wanted to know if, by any chance, the ice mage has something to do with the secret admirer thing. But asking Gray about it straight on the face was just something he couldn't bring himself to do. Not with all their guildmates around. Those bastards probably have their ears on the both of them now. Damn eavesdroppers!
"Are you just going to sit there all day and stare at my face or you're going to tell me what's in that birdbrain of yours?"
Gray's slightly annoyed voice snapped Natsu out of his musings. And upon realizing that he'd just spaced out while facing Gray, a bright blush appeared in his cheeks in an instant and he quickly averted his gaze.
Great.
Just great. He'd just made a fool of himself in front of Gray and now the stripper would surely think he's the reason for all the mess Natsu was doing to himself right now.
Grayt.
Stupid! That's not how you spell it. It's G-R-E-A-T. GREAT! Not G-R-A-Y-T. That's just putting a letter 't' after Gray's name! Now look, I'm started blabbering non-sense things like an idiot?
"You know you're just wasting my time here."
"Well, uh..it's-"
"Spill it Natsu."
"I-It's about….uhmm…about the…."
"About what?"
"It's about the ic-"
"What?"
A glare.
"Damn it! Stop interrupting me!"
"I would if you stop acting stupid."
"I'm not acting stupid! I just don't know what to say!"
Gray stared at him incredulously.
"What? You called for me here because you said you have something to ask from me. Now you're telling me you don't know what to say? That's pretty sound stupid to me!"
"I didn't called for you bastard. It's Lucy! And you're an idiot for believing her words!"
"It's because she said it's serious!"
"It is! But still, I didn't call for you, Talking Underpants!"
"Whatever. At least I don't go day dreaming while someone was talking to me, Flames for Brain!"
"Wha- hey! I don't go day dreaming!"
"Yes you are!"
"I'm not!"
"Are too!"
"I'm not!"
"You're blushing like a girl!"
"I'm-" Natsu paused and turned his head away, feeling the warmness crept over his cheeks. "-not…"
A few snickers and giggles from the background made him blush even deeper.
"Yes you are."
"Shut up."
Natsu glanced sideways and saw an amused smile playing on Gray's wonderful lips. He looked so attractive, really, and Natsu's heart skipped a beat at that.
"So what are you trying to tell me earlier again?"
Natsu crossed his arms over his chest and huffed, feeling extremely annoyed for losing in a stupid argument with the Ice Block. It's a silly argument, but still he lost. He didn't like losing, especially to Gray. But that stupid 'blushing' remark really caught him off guard.
"Well?"
"Forget about it."
Gray raised an eyebrow.
"You don't want to tell me anymore?"
"I guess not. Now leave me alone."
A sigh. Natsu watched from the corner of his eyes as Gray ran a hand through his tousled black hair, his body muscles contracting slightly at the movement.
Natsu felt himself gulp unconsciously at the sight of Gray's chiseled bare chest, glistening slightly with sweat. His black short riding dangerously low on his hips and damn! Why does Natsu felt like something was twitching under his pants?
Gray sighed again, regarding Natsu a small glance before turning around.
"Fine, I'll be going then."
As Natsu watched Gray walked away, a little voice inside screamed at him that he should go and stop the ice mage. And before he knew it, his body had moved on its own accord and he was on his feet. His hand instinctively reached out and grabbed Gray's hand, halting him to a stop.
"Gray…"
Gray turned and stared at Natsu in surprise.
"Natsu?"
Natsu stared back in equal surprise. When Gray's eyes went on their linked hands, Natsu quickly withdrew it away. But Gray was fast enough to grab Natsu's hand back preventing it from slipping out of his grasp. Natsu tried to tug his hand back, but Gray just won't let go of it.
"Natsu." Gray repeated.
"…"
"Why did you stop me?"
"I-It's about the stuff that I wanted to ask you."
Gray sighed. "Why is it so hard for you to tell me what's this stuff is all about?"
Natsu opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. He glanced around nervously and Gray did the same.
Everyone on the guild had their eyes on the both of them with full interest. From the corner, Lucy and Mira Jane were staring at them with stars in their eyes. Loki however didn't look impressed at all, judging by the scowl present on his face.
Natsu suddenly felt the need to get out and run, but the hand clutching his own ever so tightly stopped him to do so. In truth, he could just rip it out of Gray's grasp if he wanted to. But as how embarrassing it is to admit it, he didn't want to let go of Gray's hand either.
He made a small tug and Gray's hold loosened a bit.
Did Gray finally understand their situation now? Natsu felt relief washed over him as he felt the hand slowly letting it go.
However, as Natsu was about to retract his precious hand back completely, Gray suddenly tightened his hold again and yanked him forward. Natsu yelped in surprise as he stumbled towards Gray, his body slammed against the ice mage's torso and his other free hand unintentionally landed on Gray's firm chest.
Natsu's face heat up at the closeness.
"G-Gray! What are you doing?!"
The ice mage just gave a mysterious smile before leaning down to whisper something in his ear.
"Tree of Memories, at the South Gate Park. Meet me there before sunset, we'll talk."
Gray's warm minty breath tickled the flesh in his ear and Natsu couldn't help but to blush deeper as he felt his body tingled in excitement. Damn it Gray! What are you doing to me?
Gray leaned back and finally released his hand. He gave him a final look for confirmation which Natsu regarded with a stiff nod.
With that, Gray walked out of the guild, leaving Natsu standing awkwardly in the middle of the bar with his guildmates staring at him with knowing smirks on their faces. Natsu growled as he engulfed his fists with flame and glared at them.
"What the hell are you looking at!?"
Moments or so later, Natsu walked out of the guild with a smug smile on his face. Throwing a glance at the pile of unconscious mages lying on the floor, he laughed loudly.
That's what people get when they pry too much on someone else's love life, and in this case, it was Natsu's love life.
Yeah. Natsu's LOVE life. You heard it right.
Now people.
Try to pry and you'll get fry.
Natsu's laughter could still be heard as he sauntered away. Lucy and Mira Jane sweat-dropped from behind the counter.
"Geez what a mess! Master and Erza would be pissed when they arrived."
"You're right Lucy." Mira Jane agreed. "Let's go clean this mess then."
"Us?"
"Yeah, us. You're going to help me of course."
Lucy half-groaned, half-whined as Mira Jane disappeared in a room, chuckling. This is going to be a long day.
On his way home, Natsu passed a karaoke bar. The sun was still so high in the sky, he didn't know but he wished it was already sunset. Was he really that excited? He sighed and leaned his back on the wall beside the bar's door. Million of thoughts were running through his head, most of them were about a certain Ice Mage.
A music from the inside started playing. Unbeknownst to others, Natsu loved to listen to music. Igneel used to sing for him when he was little. The mighty dragon always sang lullabies before they went to sleep. The old days, Natsu missed it. He missed Igneel. After a few stroke of notes, a female voice soon joined the melody.
What is this I'm feelin'
I just can't explain
When you're near
I'm just not the same
I'm tryin' to hide it
Try not to show it
It's crazy
How could it be
I've fallen for you
Finally, my heart gave in
And I'm fallen in love
I finally know how it feels
The lyrics of the song caught Natsu off-guard. The message of the song just kinda speaks about what he currently felt right now. And he couldn't help but to get mesmerized by it.
When you said hello
I looked in your eyes
Suddenly, I felt good inside
Is this really happenin'
Or am I just dreaming
I guess, it's true
I can't believe
Natsu felt a small blush appeared in his face as he remembered the times when he would met Gray's stare and his heart would start fluttering wildly against his chest like a cage bird wanting to break free. He never knew why that always happened to him, every time Gray was around. Maybe because…
I've fallen for you
Finally, my heart gave in
And I'm fallen in love
I finally know how it feels
So this is love
Had he? Had he really fallen in love? With Gray?
Doesn't matter where I am
Thoughts of you still linger in my mind
No matter what time of day
I've really, really
Fallen for you
Yes. He did. He's finally going to admit it to himself. He'd fallen in love with his rival and best friend. He's fallen in love with Gray. The cold heartless sexy bastard that is Gray. Gray Fullbuster.
I've fallen for you
Finally, my heart gave in
And I'm fallen in love
I finally know how it feels
I've fallen for you
Finally, my heart gave in
And I'm fallen in love
I finally know how it feels
So this is love
"So this love." Natsu repeated with a smile as he pushed himself from the wall and started walking again.
"I'm glad I felt it with you, Ice Block."
to be continued…
Author's Section: Ohhh! Natsu finally realized his feelings to Gray! The only thing he needed now was to know Gray feels the same way.
The song I used in the end doesn't belong to me. It belongs to Toni Gonzaga and is titled I've Fallen For You". You can go listen to it in youtube if you want, it's one of my favorite song.
I do hope this chapter is satisfying enough to make up on my late update. Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave me your thoughts. Your reviews always make me feel useful to the world. LOL. Coz your reviews let me know that a lot of people are enjoying reading my story even though it wasn't the best compared to others. My best thanks goes to all of you. Always…
-Dark Sorcerer of Fire-